OUR HISTORY

The Northam Repertory Club was formed in 1896.
The first location of the Repertory Club was at the Temperance Hall,
then later the Northam Town Hall.  In the 1960s, the Repertory Club joined with the Northam Choral Society and became the Northam Theatre Group (NTG).

Now called the Northam Theatre Group, it is believed to be the one of, if not the oldest surviving theatrical company in Australia.

OUR VENUE

In 1976, the NTG purchased the Presbyterian Church, and it was renamed the Link Theatre.  A foyer was added, a bar/kitchen and subsequently a green room and dressing room, scenery dock, lights store and wardrobe. 

The foundation stone for the Presbyterian Church was laid in 1908.
This church building makes up the auditorium which today is an intimate venue for 100 patrons. The original structure of the church has never been altered. Patrons can still appreciate the ornate wooden fretwork and the original oregon beams and ceiling boards.  Negotiations to purchase the building took several months and the purchase was facilitated by a self-supporting loan from the Town of Northam.  The first production in the new building was ‘The Rape of the Belt’.

Over time with money raised from Music Hall productions in the Town Hall and plays in the new theatre, the loan was paid off.  The addition was commissioned in 1985 by Dr Geoff Gibbs, head of the West Australian Performing Arts Academy. Geoff had a background in amateur theatre and had performed with Northam Repertory Club in the Town Hall.

the modern NTG

Northam Theatre is an active, vital amateur group. At any one time there are between 100 and 150 members. The group offers 3 to 4 live productions a year as well as visiting acts, including the Regional Fringe Festival Tour.  Each production reaches up to 600 audience members in a season.

In 2015 the Theatre Group installed tiered retractable seating to allow the venue to be used both for theatre and for dance and exhibitions. The seating was funded by the theatre group, through generous sponsorship and grants from the Royalties for Regions scheme and Lotterywest.  The new seating has ensured that every seat in the house is quality.

In 2018, the Theatre Group installed new LED lights and a sound system.  This has reduced lighting costs and enhanced the theatre experience for the audience and members.  The previous lighting lasted over 50 years. The Theatre Group hopes that the new lighting will do the same.  This upgrade was possible with grants from The Department of Racing and Gaming, Lotterywest and Bendigo Bank. The theatre is grateful for their generous support.

Woollen fire proof curtains, new air-conditioning and restoration to the façade of the Link Theatre, have all occurred within the last decade and have guaranteed the preservation of the facility and its historic building.

The Northam Theatre Group has overcome many difficulties in its history.  The war years meant limited productions; the introduction of television lowered the number of patrons and today the arts fights for relevance alongside social media and the attractions of the city.  Despite the challenges, the Northam Theatre Group, at the home of the Link Theatre is unique in the Wheatbelt with its regular presentation of the arts and live performance.

Writeup by Anne Letch and Nicki Parker 2019